CHAPTER 3: What is
Scientology?
54. Let me start with some
quotations: -
"Scientology is the study of
knowledge in its fullest sense" (40)
"Scientology brings you
truth" (41)
"Scientology brings you
Total Freedom" (42)
"Scientology applies modern
scientific methodology to resolve the problems posed by philosophy,
and has come up with the answers" (43)
"[Dianetics is] that part
of Scientology that deals with mental anatomy" (44)
"Scientology is an aim at
total knowledge" (45).
"Dianetics - the Modern
Science of Mental Health" (46)
"Scientology is applied
philosophy" (47)
"Scientology as it applies
to life is seen as a study in statics and kinetics, which is to say
a study of the interplay of no motion and all motion, or less motion
and more motion" (48).
"Scientology has evolved
techniques which elevate the State of Man so that a person gradually
becomes increasingly aware of his own spiritual nature" (49).
"Through Scientology, Man
has the means to better himself, increase his abilities and raise
his I.Q." (50).
"[Scientology is a] fabric
of falsehood, fraud and fantasy" (51).
"The creation of Dianetics
is a milestone for Man comparable to his discovery of fire and
superior to his inventions of the wheel and arch" (52)
"Scientology is the first
and only Anglo-American development in the field of the human mind"
(53).
"Dianetics is the answer to
human suffering" (54)
"Scientology [is] that
information about life which in this period of Earth it is no longer
the least bit safe to try to get along without" (55)
"[Scientology] is a fraud"
(56)
"Dianetics is the most
advanced and the most clearly presented method of psychotherapy and
self-improvement ever discovered" (57)
"But Dianetics is not a
psychotherapy and it is not psychosomatic medicine. Those who want
and need these things find Dianetics swiftly efficacious in these
fields and so think of it as a psychotherapy" (58)
"The technology of
Scientology is a completed workable system of religious philosophy
which possesses application capable uniformly of raising or
recovering the spiritual condition of an individual to a more
desirable level, either to make the less able able or to make the
able more able" (59)
"A scientologist is a
person who keeps making things go right" (60)
"Scientology is a practical
everyday philosophy - a technology - of the human spirit" (61)
"1. Dianetics is an
organised science of thought built on definite axioms: it apparently
reveals the existence of natural laws by which behaviour can
uniformly be predicted in the unit organisms or society.
"2. Dianetics offers a
therapeutic technique with which we can treat any and all inorganic
mental and organic psychosomatic ills with assurance of complete
cure in unselected cases . . . (This statement is accurate to date -
it is conceded that further work may demonstrate some particular
case somewhere which may not entirely respond" (62)
55. It will be seen that some of
these quotations relate to Dianetics. Historically, this came first. and
Scientology was developed later. Although distinctions can be drawn
between the two, they are very closely connected and it would be
impossible today to study or practise the one without the other. When I
asked the Scientologists, near the end of my Enquiry, what part
Dianetics played in relation to Scientology at the present time, they
told me that
"Cases tend to follow the
course of development of Dianetics and Scientology. When an
individual is completed on Dianetics he is ready for Scientology
grades and Clearing. Dianetics brings health. It puts the body right
so that it does not get in the way of freedom. Scientology brings
ability, spiritual freedom and immortality. Scientology is senior in
that it solves any and all troubles that may have occurred in
Dianetics and solves as well any that may have occurred in
Scientology.
Mankind, at this time, is
so battered about and preached to about being an animal and is so
relatively inactive in this push-button civilisation that he has a
long way to rise to get his foot on the first rung of the ladder. He
thinks of himself as a body. Dianetics takes care of the unsavoury
aches, pains and with medical help, ills of the body so that he can
get his mind off it.
With Dianetics completed he
is now ready for his Scientology grades. Not having neglected the
first steps of Dianetics he can achieve results in Scientology.
Dianetics is a science of
the mind (dia - through, noos - mind) developed before
1950 and considerably refined since. It takes care of the aches and
pains and psychosomatic ills of the body. lt was and is the answer
to psychosomatic medicine and in the hands of ministers is used as
pastoral counselling.
Scientology is a religion.
Its period of development was from 1951 onward. Its target is
spiritual freedom and ability."
In this Report I shall use the
word "Scientology" to include Dianetics throughout, except on those few
occasions where it is necessary to distinguish between them, in which
case I shall make the distinction explicit.
56. In so far as Scientology is
theoretical, it consists of a set of statements about the world, about
man, and about the relationship between the two. In so far as it is
practical, it consists of a set of procedures carried out by one person
on another. A Scientologist, for my purposes, is someone who accepts the
theories whether or not he participates in the practices. Scientologists
themselves would probably not agree: to them participation in the
practices is a necessary feature of membership.
57. There is, however, an
important distinction to be drawn between two classes of Scientologists.
The first is best described as the "Scientology leadership", consisting
of those for whom Scientology s a full-time occupation which provides
their only livelihood. Mr. Hubbard stands at the head of this class, and
would seem still to be the single policy-maker, but the pyramid of power
within the Scientology organisations contains many others who take part
in the administrative and executive functions. The other class I shall
call the "followers of Scientology". These are people from all walks of
life in different parts of the world who accept some or all of the
beliefs of Scientology and seek betterment, fulfilment or perhaps only
solutions to their present personal problems through Scientology
"processing". The two classes are not wholly distinct, since there is an
intermediate stage at which a follower, desiring more processing but
unable to pay for it, may be offered employment by the leadership to
enable him to continue with his processing. So far as I know,
recruitment to the leadership is largely by this route, but the broad
distinction between the leaders and the followers is important for many
of the matters with which this Report is concerned.
(a) The Founder
58. Before describing the
organisation, the finances, and the theories and practices, of
Scientology, it is necessary to say something about their genesis. This
lies exclusively with Mr Hubbard, who is rightly described by
Scientologists as their Founder. Mr Hubbard is an American citizen, born
in Nebraska in 1911 and raised in the State of Montana. He is a man of
many parts: at different times in his career he has earned his living as
an explorer, a film producer, a United States Naval Officer, and a
prolific writer of science fiction. His academic career is a little
obscure: it seems that he attended the George Washington University in
1932 but left without graduating. He later rectified this omission by
acquiring the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from the Sequoia
University, Southern California, but the Anderson Board reported that
this institution was not accredited with the appropriate U.S.
Educational Authorities, and I have not seen this finding denied by the
Scientology leadership. He also holds the degree of Doctor of
Scientology which, again according to the Anderson Board, he conferred
on himself (63). For a number of years he was referred to in Scientology
literature as a "Doctor of Philosophy", but after the Anderson Report
the following announcement appeared on 8th March 1966 in "The Times": -
"PUBLIC
NOTICE
I, L. Ron Hubbard of Saint
Hill Manor, East Grinstead, Sussex, having reviewed the damage being
done in our society with nuclear physics and psychiatry by persons
calling themselves "Doctor" do hereby resign in protest my
university degree as a doctor of philosophy (PhD), anticipating an
early public outcry against anyone called Doctor; and although not
in any way connected with the bombs of "psychiatric treatment" or
treatment of the sick, and interested only and always in philosophy
and the total freedom of the human spirit I wish no association of
any kind with these persons and do so publicly declare, and request
my friends and the public not to refer to me in any way with this
title.
(signed) L. Ron Hubbard"
59. Mr Hubbard began to develop
Dianetics in about 1948 and developed Scientology from it after about
1952 (64). With very few exceptions, every book, pamphlet, article,
journal and policy document printed, duplicated, distributed or
published by Scientologists which I have seen bears Mr Hubbard's name
either as sole author or as the owner of the copyright. He is, by common
consent, a man of forceful personality, which comes through very clearly
in his writings. Since this Report includes quotations from many of
these I can safely leave Mr Hubbard to speak for himself without further
introduction.
60. It is, as I understand it,
not in dispute that Mr Hubbard was the absolute ruler of Scientology at
all events until 1966 (65): all its theories, practices and policies
stem from hum, and he had total de facto control over the organisation.
between 1958 and 1968 (when the Home Office declared him as an
undesirable alien and refused him further admission to Britain) he
directed Scientology from its headquarters at Saint Hill Manor, East
Grinstead, Sussex. Since then he appears to have transferred his
Headquarters to the high seas, spending most of his time on board one or
other of the six vessels operated by the "Sea Org", cruising under the
Panamanian flag.
61. In the course of answering
one of my questionnaires, the Scientology leadership told me that "in
1966 L. Ron Hubbard resigned from the active running of Scientology
organisations". While this assertion is supported by the fact that Mr.
Hubbard's resignation as a director from a number of Scientology
companies is recorded on their files at the Companies Register, a number
of recent policy documents are less consistent with it. The following
two are fairly typical examples: -
"LRH ED 26 WW
Date 1 April 1970
To: HCO EXEC SEC WW for
action
Info: ECWW, WW personnel
From: Ron
Subject: Management
Reference: HCO P/L 12 Feb 1970 Issue II, ECWW, Primary
Duties of
I am glad to have such good
reports of concentration on your Primary Duties as outlined in the
above Policy Letter.
Your actions to implement
the Policy greatly help.
There are undoubtedly
actions and situations WW is involved in which lie outside these
Primary Duties which could be handed over to more appropriate
terminals
Each WW staff member
(excluding Guardian WW and Franchise Offices) should survey his post
and area and make three separate lists:
(a) Post actions that
effect or contribute to the actual Primary Duties.
(b) Post actions you
are currently concerned with that are not covered in (a).
(c) Problems you have
on your plate not concerned with (a).
(d) Anything in (b) or
(c) you think I should be urgently advised of.
Send them to HCO ES WW who
will look them over, sort out any confusions, make any needed
corrections, and send them with her comments and suggestions to me.
Items on (d) lists may be
forwarded at once.
It will then be possible to
sort out and put right any conflicts or distractions that may exist.
I wish to do all possible
to make things run smoothly for you.
LRH ek.ei
Love, Ron,
(SEAL)
L. RON HUBBARD Founder."
"LRH ED 94 INT
Date 1 April 1971
To: All Staff, SO and Scn Orgs
LRH Comms
From: Ron
Subject: Routine of Thurs
Reports
Your Thursday Reports are
reports to me and I appreciate them. It's a tremendous flood of data
reflecting tons of action to get the show on the road.
I have already given in No.
1 Programmes the basic actions needed to handle the major problems
in orgs. Management at WW, Cont. and local level is mostly concerned
with co-ordinating actions necessary to achieve the targets on the
Programmes. Thursday Reports are not really necessary for this
action, and the Reports are really my greatly valued comm lines to
individual staff members.
So if LRH Comms will just
mail the weekly packs of reports to me via OTL DK.
Your reports really keep me
in touch with you.
Management lines have their
own report and data lines. I'll back them up with broad advices and
policies, as always.
Thursday Reports are my
lines from individuals regardless of post or status. I value them
very highly, as I value you.
LRH: nt.ei.
Love, Ron
(SEAL)
L. RON HUBBARD
Founder"
62. In a letter to me dated 27th
June 1970, Mr. Hubbard expresses the hope that my Report "will restore
to me my lovely home in England which I am told is more beautiful than
ever with the grounds bursting in blossom and where I had already
retired. I will admit to having been somewhat irked in the last three
years to be deprived of it . . ." Since this letter is headed "c/o Saint
Hill Manor, East Grinstead, Sussex", I assume that this is the home he
refers to. As will be seen in section (c) of this Chapter, this property
was acquired on 16th January 1967 by the Church of Scientology of
California (which describes itself as "a non profit Corporation in
U.S.A. Registered in England"), and now stands in its books at a little
over £160,000. According to the document which I quote in paragraph 68
below, the vendor was Mr. Hubbard.
63. It may perhaps also be
relevant here to note that a report form, recommended by Mr. Hubbard in
a Policy Letter dated 29th January 1970 to senior Scientology officials
for reporting on the state of their organisations, contains these
questions: -
26. Were any "threats"
received from Creditors this week? ...................
27. Is the Org paying off
any debt to LRH ? .....................
28. Is the Org paying off
any debt to Pubs Org? .....................
29. Is the Org paying off
any debt to the Sea Org ? .....................
30. Is the Org paging off
any debt to SH ? .....................
31. Is the Org paying its
10 per cents? .....................
(b) Organisation in the United Kingdom
64. In answer to my first
questionnaire, the Scientology leadership told me that there were now
probably upwards of 150,000 people in this country who would call
themselves Scientologists, with about 200 new members joining every
week. About 60,000 had undergone "processing" at the two major centres
at Saint Hill Manor or in London in the last five years, and an
estimated further 15,000 had received free auditing. A further
unspecified number had received auditing from "Missions" and individual
auditors, and "emergency assists" had been given to other persons who
had been injured or hurt.
65. The Scientologists also
told me that the total number of their employees working in the United
Kingdom had increased from about 95 in September 1965 to about 250 in
May 1970, of which about 10% were performing management - as opposed to
mere executive - functions. Ten were receiving processing in May 1970;
any member of the staff may have free auditing if he wants it.
Local branches are now called
"Missions" and these are located in the following places: -
* Burton on Trent
Sutton, Surrey
Reading
Birmingham
Coventry
* Helensburgh
* London, N.W.3.
Petersfield, Hants.
Plymouth
Southampton
Jersey, C.I.
Brightlingsea, Essex.
London, N.19.
Bristol
Swansea
Edinburgh
of which the first ten have full
Mission status. "Franchises" have also been granted to Missions in
Loughborough, Quorn, Sheffield and Wymondham, as well as to those marked
with an asterisk in the above list.
66. The writing paper on which
representatives of the Scientology leadership now communicate with me is
headed: -
"The Church of Scientology [of
California (66)]
The Hubbard Scientology
Organisation
WORLD WIDE. Founder: L. Ron
Hubbard"
and at the bottom carries the
following imprint: -
"Church of Scientology of
California (A Non-Profit Corporation in the U.S.A. Registered in
England)".
67. I asked the Scientologists
what organisations connected with Dianetics and/or Scientology existed
at the present time which were either incorporated in the United Kingdom
or, being incorporated elsewhere, engaged in activities or were
represented, in the United Kingdom. The reply was as follows: -
"(a) At the present time there
are no active organisations connected with Dianetics or Scientology
incorporated in the United Kingdom. There are a number of companies
which are inactive and I believe that a number of them might have
been wound up or are in the process of being wound up. These are
H.A.S.I. (London) Ltd., HCO (WW) Ltd., HCO (St. Hill) Ltd., Hubbard
Communications Office Ltd., Scientology Publications Ltd.,
Scientology Library and Research Ltd., HASI Ltd., and Dianetic
Association Ltd.
(b) The main activities of
Scientology in the United Kingdom are carried on by the Church of
Scientology of California (non-profit Corporation in California
registered under Part X of the Companies Act) with its branches at
St. Hill Manor, London, Brighton and Swansea. There are also a
number of Missions chartered by the Church which are listed under a
separate answer. In Scotland there is the Hubbard Academy of
Personal Independence and the Advanced Organisation, which are run
by the Hubbard Foundation Scotland.
(c) Of course there are a
number of other organisations in which Scientologists are actively
involved. I do not know precisely how many but broadly the list
would cover the National Council for Civil Liberties, the
Scientology Ex-Service Men and Women's League, The National Trust,
Conservation Society, the British Medical Association, the Royal
College of General Practitioners, Campaign against Psychiatric
Atrocities, Society for Individual Freedom, the Association for
Health Development and Aid etc."
68. The true reasons for the
transfer of the entire business to the Church of Scientology of
California are very fully set out by Mr. Hubbard in the following HCO
Executive Letter dated 12th March 1966: -
"
HCO EXECUTIVE LETTER OF 12
MARCH 1966
Remimeo
To: All Staffs
From: Ron
Subject: CORPORATE STATUS
Well at last we are able to
consolidate our corporate status in the UK and Commonwealth and S.A.
The big stumbling block has
been Inland Revenue's refusal to grant non-profit status to limited
companies. Without that we could not transfer the various
organizations and US assets in the UK and Commonwealth to a UK or
Commonwealth company.
For nearly 10 years, HASI
Inc Arizona, has had to continue to operate in the UK and
Commonwealth. In 1955 it found it cost the US office a fortune to
support their overseas interests and they could not afford them.
Currency exchange laws in UK. Aust, NZ etc. made it impossible for
the Scientology offices there to pay the US office back for anything
it furnished or did. This one way flow could be reduced by giving no
service but even so left the US company at risk without pay.
In the mid-fifties a 12 man
Board of Directors of which I was not a member determined to
transfer all the HASI overseas offices to limited companies and be
shut of them. I was appointed trustee for transfer.
But all the properties were
non-profit and by the laws of Arizona no property of a non-profit
company can be transferred to a profit company. Inland Revenue
refused non-profit status to each of the limited companies I
organized and I could not transfer the US assets to them. This was
hard because the tax crazy UK and Commonwealth governments (their
peoples are the highest taxed people in the world) demanded a
limited company operate a year before Inland Revenue would say it
was non-profit. So we would form a limited company and then after a
year have the tax nuts say "No" and have to start all over again.
This went on for 10 years! They would have gained all these US
assets but no, they would not award a non-profit status.
HASI Ltd, HCO Ltd. local
proprietary limited companies, one after another got the axe from
Inland Revenue.
If you think that didn't
make problems . . . . . !
Meanwhile the US offices
continued to scream, cut off this expense of supporting England!
I supported a lot of these
overseas companies with my own funds trying to get them to stand on
their own feet. And at last in 1960 I organized the Saint Hill
organization to help technology and to support the UK and
Commonwealth. By Jan. 22, 1963, I was able at last to cut off the
bulk of US support funds and handle things from Saint Hill for the
overseas area particularly.
Finally, in January of 1966
while handling another lot of stupidity by Inland Revenue and UK
accountants, I was able to sort out the picture.
The Church of Scientology
of California was willing to take over all US, Commonwealth and
South African interests. It is a Federal certified US non-profit
corporation and Inland Revenue will apparently accept its
certificate.
Thus for the first time I
can execute my orders as Trustee and transfer the UK and
Commonwealth properties off the back of the US HASI.
The companies are no longer
absorbing US funds to keep going and a method of returning the US
investment has been worked out by furnishing films and service to
the US and not putting any further US funds into the Commonwealth.
The Church of Scientology of California is willing to undertake
this.
Rapidly the C of S of Calif
as a foreign corporation (not as a new friendly society just being
registered) is being qualified to do business through the UK and
Commonwealth and every HASI office abroad is being turned over to
it.
This means no change in
staff or character of business. It means a change of name and bank
accounts. All successful executive secretaries will be retained and
things will go on as usual.
Every company of
Scientology abroad is being turned over to C of S of Calif. by HASI,
Inc. Arizona. This means HASI Ltd, HCO Ltd, and any and all inactive
companies as well.
This finally gets me off
the hook as personally supporting these companies.
I remain the US agent to
effect the transfer and a HASI board minute of Feb. 20, 1966,
directs all staffs and officers to assist me in making the transfer
to C of S of Calif everywhere in the UK and Commonwealth.
I am of course a board
member of C of S of Calif. and remain as Executive Director of the
orgs.
Saint Hill, which was mine,
is being sold to C of S of Calif, the other orgs are simply being
given.
I receive no salary for my
work and have no service contract with any organization. But I am
consigning to C of S of Calif exclusive use of my name in connection
with Scientology.
This makes a single, neat
corporate structure.
Saint Hill (and probably
London) begins to operate as C of S as of 5 April 1966. Other orgs
will as fast as the Legal Officer at Worldwide can effect
qualification of C of S in their countries.
The International Executive
Division at Saint Hill is in firm control of Scientology and will
continue to be and remains the Int Exec Div of each org in the
world, authorized by their boards.
Such transfers are usually
attended by a lot of heads rolling. But our statistics are mainly up
and nothing desperate is planned.
Suppressives hate to see up
statistics and as this new corporate structure will result in
soaring statistics, being relieved of tax burdens. I dare say a lot
of rumour will be started to make people insecure about it. But if
getting very legal and all arrangements solid is insecurity then
mountains are the sea.
Our corporate structure has
been attacked many times But oversees it could not be consolidated
due to Inland Rev/enue. Some people are naive enough to believe the
purpose of such offices is to collect tax. It isn't. It's a
mechanism invented by suppressives to stamp on rising statistics.
Don't believe it? Well, what would happen if you got a rise? That
would be an up statistic for you but there would be a fine for it by
Inland Revenue! They just refused to accept US assets, that's all
The only cheerful note is that they'll break their own governments
before they break us!
So we're getting all
straight now, it seems. And good news! As all auditors will be
ministers, ministers have in many places special privileges
including tax and housing allowances.
Of course anything is a
religion that treats the human spirit. And also Parliaments don't
attack religions. But that isn't our real reason - it's been a long
hard task to make a good corporate structure in the UK and
Commonwealth so the assets could be transferred.
Apparently we've done it.
LRH: ml
L. RON HUBBARD
Copyright © 1966
by L. Ron Hubbard
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED"
69. Dealing first with the
overseas companies, recent searches at Companies House show the
following: -
i) Hubbard Association of
Scientologists was incorporated in Arizona on 10th September 1952
with an authorised capital stock of $200,000. It was duly registered
here under Part X of the Companies Act. Mr. Hubbard and his wife
Mary Sue are both shown as directors.
(ii)) Hubbard Association
of Scientologists International was incorporated in Arizona on 1st
September 1954 "to establish a religious fellowship and association
for research into the spirit and the human soul and the use and
dissemination" of Mr. Hubbard's findings. It also was duly
registered here under Part X of the Companies Act. Both Mr. and Mrs.
Hubbard were directors, but resigned on 21st July 1965.
(iii) The Church of
Scientology was incorporated in California on 18th February 1954,
and changed its name to "The Church of Scientology of California" on
19th June 1956. On a notice dated 22nd March 1966, both Mr. and Mrs.
Hubbard are shown as directors, but they resigned on 27th September
1966. It seems that two months earlier - on 1st August 1966 - Mr.
Hubbard also resigned as President, but this was not notified to the
Registrar until more than three years later, on 2nd September 1969.
Other directors come and go: in one period of 32 months there were
13 changes. At a special meeting of the Trustees held on 26th
February 1966 a resolution was passed "that in order to better
achieve Article 2(b) of the Articles of Incorporation a seminary be
established to be called the Hubbard College of Scientology and that
it shall first be situate at Saint Hill Manor, East Grinstead . . .
and be so administered that it be granted charitable status". There
are references on the file to a "Mother Church", apparently the
Church of American Science of Camden, New Jersey.
70. Of the other Scientology
companies mentioned in the Scientologists' reply to my question,
searches conducted at Companies House between July and October 1970
disclose the following: -
(i) H.A.S.I. (London) Limited
was incorporated on 20th December 1963. Only two £1 shares have ever
been issued. Its main object is "to conduct and carry on any and all
kinds of scientific research, especially with reference to the human
mind, spirit and soul, in mental, psychosomatic and allied fields .
. . by means of . . . Scientology". Mr Hubbard has never been a
director. No annual returns have been filed since 31st December
1968.
(ii) H.C.O. (WW) Limited
was incorporated on 5th December 1963. Again, only two £1 shares
have been issued. Its main object is the same as that of H.A.S.I.
(London) Limited. Mr. Hubbard has never been a director. Again, no
annual returns have been filed since 31st December 1968.
(iii) H.C.O. (St. Hill)
Limited was also incorporated on 5th December 1963. Once more, only
two £1 shares have been issued. Its main object is the same as that
of H.A.S.I. (London) Limited. Mr Hubbard has never been a director
in a report for the two years down to 5th April 1969, the directors
said that the Company had engaged in no activities.
(iv) Hubbard Communications
Office Limited "trading as Hickstead Garage" was incorporated on
30th December 1960 with an authorised share capital of £300,000,
divided into 1000 £1 voting shares, 3,380 non-voting £25 "A" shares
and 40,400 non-voting £5 "B" shares. Eleven of the £1 voting shares
have been issued one to Mr. Hubbard and another to his wife. None of
the other shares have been issued. Mr. Hubbard is a governing
director not subject to retirement. No annual returns have been
filed since 26th May 1967. According to a statement in lieu of
prospectus, the company was going to grant a franchise to the
Hubbard Association of Scientologists in return for "a red apple and
sixpence per annum . . . said contract being subject to good usage
but without termination date".
(v) Scientology
Publications Limited was incorporated as long ago as 30th January
1954. Mr Hubbard holds 51 out of 57 £1 shares issued Both he and his
wife were appointed directors on 24th November 1955. He but not she
- resigned on 30th December 1966. No annual returns have been filed
since 31st December 1967.
(vi) Scientology Library
and Research Limited was incorporated on 7th February 1964. Here
again, only two £1 shares have been issued. The main object is once
more "to carry out scientific reseach". Mr Hubbard had never been a
director, and no annual returns have been filed since the end of
1968.
(vii) HASI Limited
(actually called "Hubbard Association of Scientologists
International Limited") was incorporated on 20th June 1960 with an
authorised share capital of £250,000 in 10,000 £25 shares, of which
f28,750 was issued. Mr and Mrs Hubbard were both directors: he
resigned in 1966, she in 1968. No annual returns have been filed
since December 1968.
(viii) Dianetic Association
Limited is the oldest company of all, having been incorporated on
3rd November 1951 as a company limited by guarantee. Its main object
is "to encourage and develop science and practice of the method of
psychotherapy known as Dianetics and of other methods approved by
the Association". Membership is open to any person "who has passed
an examination or other test approved by the Council", furnishes
"evidence of professional competence" or "is thought by the Council
to be a fit person". Mr Hubbard was a director until 18th May 1957.
The last annual return was filed on 31st December 1968, according to
which the Company had conducted no activities.
There is no indication on the
files of any of these companies having been wound up, or being in the
process of being wound up.
71. Soon after HASI Limited was
formed in 1960, Scientologists were invited to subscribe for its shares
at £25 each. When Hubbard Communications Office Limited was formed soon
afterwards, it was suggested that HASI Limited should allot to that
company 3000 of its voting shares in return for 3000 of the latter's
non-voting shares, thus giving the holders of H.C.O. Limited's voting
shares (of which only 11 were ever issued) control over both companies.
This scheme was eventually abandoned because, it was said, HASI Limited
had not obtained non-profit status. What happened instead was that the
holders of HASI Limited's £25 shares were invited to sell them to HASI
of Arizona for 1/- and a "lifetime membership", the seller to pay the
stamp duty: -
"Hubbard Communications Office,
37 Fitzroy Street,
London, W.1.
Tel: LAN 3601-4
Dear Shareholder,
As you may know, the
government would not grant HASI Ltd. a non- profit status and we are
going to remain HASI Inc. of Arizona.
Therefore, HASI Arizona, a
bigger company, is offering to buy your share for 1/- and a lifetime
membership (gratis).
This way you are enabled to
be "aboard" the organization that contains the bulk of Scientology
activity. HASI Arizona is the Org where the Main Show is going on
and we don't want to leave you sitting in a Side Tent just because
of a government's error. So this offer is to bring you over to the
Big Tent. And the Main Show is starting. Technology has been
researched and polished to a fine point and we've started to E X P A
N D.
As HASI Arizona does not
have capital stock, we can't offer to exchange HASI Arizona stock
for HASI Ltd. stock. But we can and do offer you your Lifetime
Membership. This is the way it's done.
By law, HASI Arizona, as
transferee, has to make a nominal monetary payment. We are therefore
offering you the nominal consideration of 1/- for your share (mark
the consideration of 1/ on the form in the space provided.) That
means that as soon as we receive your share transfer form we shall
send you the sum of 1/- plus a HASI Lifetime Membership.
When you have completed the
form please post it to: -
Controller of Stamps,
Direct Post Section,
West Block,
Barrington Road,
Worthing,
Sussex.
DO NOT POST THE COMPLETED
FORM TO US UNTIL THE STAMP DUTY HAS BEEN PAID.
The Controller of Stamps
will calculate the stamp duty (approx 4d for 1/-) and notify you of
the duty you have to pay. When you have paid this sum the stamped
form will be returned to you, and you then forward it to us.
We shall very much
appreciate it if you will complete the transaction as soon as
possible.
Yours sincerely,
VALERIE OBIN,
HCO Area Secretary.
P.S. In the event you have
more than one share, you may effect the transfer, and name someone
of your choice for the Lifetime MEMBERSHIP or HASI Arizona will buy
it (them) from you for the nominal consideration of £25.
72. This offer was later
increased to 1/- plus a Fellowship at Saint Hill, the purchasers to pay
the stamp duty: -
HUBBARD
ASSOCIATION OF SCIENTOLOGISTS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Saint Hill Manor,
East Grinstead,
Sussex.
18 October 1965
Dear Sir or Madam,
We wish to bring to your
attention that the H.A.S.I. Inc. of Arizona offers you, without
further dues, a Fellowship of the College of Scientology now under
construction at Saint Hill and to buy your share in H.A.S.I. Ltd.
for one shilling. H.A.S.I. Arizona is the proprietor of the College.
(2) The object of this
operation is to transfer the activities of H.A.S.I. Ltd. to H.A.S.I.
Arizona, and so gather all Scientology activities in one large
organisation. This will aid efficiency and permit economies. We are
confident of your support in this progressive measure.
(3) The benefits of a
Fellowship of the college are 10% discount on all books and meters
purchased through the organisation and not marked 'net' or 'no
discount' in price lists (usually items costing 6/- or less). If you
have International membership the discount will be increased to 30%
on books and 20% on meters.
(4) A share transfer form
is enclosed which on completion should be forwarded in the enclosed
envelope to H.A.S.I Inc. of Arizona, Saint Hill Manor, East
Grinstead. Stamp duty on the transfer will be paid by H.A.S.I. Ltd.
(5) It is regretted that
this offer cannot be kept open indefinitely, therefore, it will
apply only to transfers received up to and including the 15th
December, 1965.
Yours faithfully,
Mary Sue Hubbard
M. S. Hubbard, Secretary,BR>
H.A.S.I. Inc. of Arizona
73. There are two further
companies on the English register which were not mentioned in the answer
to my question: -
(i) Scientology Consultants to
Industrial Efficiency Limited, another £2 company incorporated on
23rd May 1957, whose annual returns for once are up to date. Its
main object is "to increase the efficiency of companies, businesses,
organisations and individuals by the specialised techniques of
Scientology." Mr Hubbard has never been a director.
(ii) Hubbard Explorational
Company Limited, which was not incorporated until 22nd November
1966. Mr. Hubbard (described as an "Expedition Supervisor") holds 97
of the l00 £1 shares, and he and his wife are the only directors.
Mrs. Hubbard is the Secretary. The main object is "to explore
oceans, seas, lakes, rivers and waters, land and buildings in any
part of the world and to seek for, survey, examine and test
properties of all kinds."
74. Two further Scientology
organisations deserve mention. The form of Contract and release which I
quote in paragraph 135 below is expressed to be made with "Operations
and Transport Services Limited." No company of that name has ever been
incorporated in the United Kingdom, and none is registered under Part X
of the Companies Act, as it would have to be if it were a company
incorporated abroad which has a place of business in the United Kingdom.
75. Lastly, there is an entity
called the "Sea Org" which came to my notice in the course of my
enquiry. I asked the Scientologists to supply me with full particulars
of its nature and activities, and this was Mr. Gaiman's reply: -
"(I have a personal theory
that the Sea Org was set up by a consortium consisting of Granada
TV, the News of the World, the Daily Mail, and the "People" to
provide them with copy for the summer of 1968).
The Sea Org (Sea
Organisation) was actually started in 1966-67. At about that time
Mr. Hubbard had resigned his trusteeships and directorships and from
the active participation in the running of all the Churches of
Scientology.
At that time, as I
understand it, he was very interested in ancient civiliations and
wanted to take a boat to the Mediterranean to do some exploring and
research. Some Scientologists went with him, and, as usually
happens, more wanted to join. One result of his researches was the
book "A Test of Whole Track Recall", which you probably have read.
Inevitably, the Sea Org,
which was a colloquial name which stuck, grew.
After the former Health
Minister made his famous announcement to the House on 25th July
1968, the Home Office wrote to Mr. Hubbard informing him that he
would be refused leave to land in the U.K. in spite of the fact that
as early as 1963 all his landing conditions had been permanently
revoked.
The Sea Org became more or
less permanent, and the members of the Sea Org today have a number
of functions. The first is to assist Mr. Hubbard with his
researches. Most of them are experienced Scientologists and expert
auditors. Some of them tour the world on goodwill missions, and
visit the various Churches to bring advice and assistance. They are
today very much interested in the philosophy of management, which
Mr. Hubbard has been recently researching
They are sea-born for a
number of reasons. One is that Mr. Hubbard is sea-born. Another is
that it has been found that it is excellent training for people to
come to grips with sea and with the workings of ships. It is a
practical experience which it is not easy to find on land, and makes
for competent, practical people. Another is that a ship is a very
quiet and safe environment, free from the distractions of shore
life, and is a good place in which to engage in auditing and
research. They also appear to have a lot of fun.
As the Sea Org itself is
not part of the corporate Church of Scientology, there is not much
in the way of policy documents affecting it. It seems that it just "growed
up". I have been able to find a number of "Auditor" magazines which
mention it, which I enclose.
Sea Org members are very
dedicated Scientologists, and many sign a "billion year" contract on
joining up, after their initial probation period. This may be
likened to the final vows of some religious orders. It is a
commitment. This does not preclude them from taking leave, which in
my experience ranges from the normal 3 week holiday to periods of 2
years or more, nor from leaving the Sea Org altogether if they wish
to.
They wear normal maritime
uniform, which is optional when they are on land.
The Church has chartered some
Sea Org vessels, originally to provide a safe environment for staff
training and also to provide somewhere where students coming to
Saint Hill could go in order to complete their training and
auditing, which became more and more difficult at Saint Hill as the
Home Office became more restrictive with visas."
In a later letter, Mr. Gaiman told
me that Sea Org had, in the last five years, owned, chartered or
operated no fewer than six ships: The Royal Scotman, Avon River,
Enchanter, Aries, Neptune and Bolivar.
The following is the wording of
the "billion year contract": -
"I , ... , DO HEREBY AGREE
to enter into employment with THE SEA ORGANIZATION and, being of
sound mind, do fully realize and agree to abide by its purpose which
is to get ETHICS IN on this PLANET AND THE UNIVERSE and, fully and
without reservation, subscribe to the discipline, mores and
conditions of this group and pledge to abide by them.
THEREFORE, I CONTRACT
MYSELF TO THE SEA ORGANIZATION FOR THE NEXT BILLION YEARS.
(As per Flag Order 232)"
The following quotations from
an HCO policy letter dated 7th December 1969 and signed by Mr. Hubbard
may also be thought relevant: -
"It is very easy for a
staff member and even an Ethics Officers to completely misunderstand
Ethics and its functions. In a society run by SPs and controlled by
incompetent police the citizen almost engramically identifies any
justice action or symbol with oppression."
"Yet in the absence of true
Ethics no one can live with others and stats go down inevitably. So
a justice function must exist to protect producers and decent
people."
----------
"The Ethics Section is in
Department 3. This department is called Inspection and Reports."
"In small orgs there is
only one person in that department."
"Because he has files of
damage reports and chits and because he can see and investigate, the
Ethics Officer locates WHO is causing outnesses and suppressing the
Org. By condition assignments, publication and Comm Evs he gets in
Ethics (67).
"It occasionally happens
that it is someone high up in the Org. It sometimes happens his
seniors or the EC scold him for daring to report on things or to
them. Then he knows the suppression is high up and he is delinquent
in duty if he does not report it to the next highest Org and if no
action there right on up to the Sea Org. Anyone removing him for
daring to report the factual reports of his inspections can be
severely handled by upper organisations. The Ethics officer can only
be in trouble if he fails to do his job and keep in Ethics."
(c) Finances
76. On 10th July 1970, I asked
the Scientology leadership to supply me with copies of the certified
accounts for the past five years of each of the Scientology and
Dianetics organisations which had been active in the United Kingdom at
any time during that period. The auditor of the Scientology
organisations, Mr. D. B. M. Field, A.C.A. of East Grinstead, wrote on
3rd August 1970 as follows: -
"I am afraid that I cannot
supply you with copies of the last 5 years' certified accounts at
the moment, as I have not certified any accounts. I expect to have
completed and certified the accounts by Christmas this year at the
very latest, and possibly sooner."
77 I therefore asked instead for
the draft accounts, uncertified, for the same five-year period, of these
organisations. In answer to this, I was sent on 28th September 1970
three sets of draft accounts only: one for the 15 month period from 1st
January 1965 to 5th April 1966, and one each for the years ending 5th
April 1967 and 5th April 1968. Those ending in 1969 and 1970, I was
told, would not be ready for "several months".
78. A search of the Companies
Register confirms that, despite the requirements of the Companies Act,
no accounts have ever been filed for these companies.
79. These draft accounts,
evidently regarded by the Scientology leadership as the accounts
reflecting the financial affairs of Scientology in the United Kingdom,
disclose the following information relevant to this enquiry: -
(i) Those for the period 1st
January 1965 to 5th April 1966 are headed "Hubbard Association of
Scientologists International Inc.", while those for the two
succeeding years are headed "Church of Scientology of California,
Diocese of the United Kingdom." This would seem to accord with what
Mr. Hubbard says in the policy letter dated 12th March 1966 which I
have quoted in paragraph 68 above.
(ii) The accounts show the
following sources and amount of income: -
1.1.65-5.4.66 year to 5.4.67 year
to 5.4.68
Training and
processing less £279,418
£418,326 £973,239
refunds
Gross profits from
sales of books,
23,046
28,662
66,341
meters and sundry
merchandise
Other
6,184
10,289
36,438
-------- --------
----------
Total Income
£308,648 £457,277
£1,076,018
On any view, Scientology in
the United Kingdom during this period was a big, and fast expanding,
business.
(iii) Among the conventional
business expenses appear the following:
1.1.65-5.4.66 year to 5.4.67 year to 5.4.68
£ % of £ % of £ % of
total total total
income income income
Staff salaries 82,691 23.7 138,517 30.3 175,556 16.4
Directors' salaries 3,125 0.9 2,914 0.6 2,383 0.2
Advertising and
Promotion 35,995* 10.3 21,048 4.6 50,913 4.7
Commissions payable 10,126 2.9 33,039 7.2 63,723 5.9
Postage and Carriage 16,493 4.7 24,636 5.4 50,677 4.7
Travelling and Motor
expenses 6,549 1.9 7,288 1.6 15,672 1.5
Provision for bad
debts 42,150 12.1 39,426 8.6 7,487 0.7
* including "printing,
stationery and sundry office expenses."
None of these calls for any
special comment.
(iv) In each of the three
periods, there is an item called "Expenditure on United States
Mailing List and Promotion". In the first period, this amounts to
£87,500; in each of the succeeding years it is charged at £70,000.
In the first period only, there is also a "Franchise licence fee" of
£27,064.
(v) After charging all
these expenses, and others of a usual kind, the first period shows a
loss of £59,939 and the following year shows a profit of £52,617.
(vi) Surprisingly, the last
period - the year to 5th April 1968 - shows a loss of £20,297
despite the fact that the total income has more than doubled and
that the conventional expenses have by no means risen in proportion.
This loss is arrived at after charging the following items, none of
which had been an expense of the business in either of the earlier
periods: -
"Technical & educational" . . . . . . . . . . . . .
£160,312
"Cost of research & expansion projects" . . . . . . . £93,179
"Service charge for New York Scholars payable
to Church of Scientology, New York" . . . . . . . . . £15,741
"Losses on Rhodesian Mission Branch" . . . . . . . . . £33,171
Further, the item which in
the previous year had been called "Printing, stationery and sundry
office expenses - £23,606" has now become "Printing. stationery and
sundry office expenses and Central Administration" and has
leapt to £141,085, while "Legal and professional charges - £12,527"
has become "Legal and professional and Consultancy" at no
less than £175,479. The total of these new and increased items is
£582,834.
(vii) The Balance Sheet as at
5th April 1968 shows that, on 16th November 1967, the business had
acquired the freehold of Saint Hill Manor and its grounds (which had
previously been held on a lease, apparently from Mr Hubbard) for an
outlay of £79,410. Expenditure incurred on the buildings both before
and after this date amounted to £81,203 and the property therefore
stands in the books at £160,613.
(viii) Despite this major
item of capital expenditure, the cash at bank and in hand on 5th
April 1968 was £351,073, an increase of £238,420 over the year, on
top of an increase of £91,964 in the previous year. Evidently,
Scientology in the United Kingdom has no cash flow problem.
(ix) On the liabilities
side, the following items appear as at 5th April 1968: -
"Amounts due to HASI Inc" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £64,516
"Amounts due to U.S. Churches of Scientology" . . . £227,500
"Amounts due to associated companies" . . . . . . . . £80,743
The second of these items
has increased in successive Balance Sheets by the exact amount of
successive charges for "Expenditure on U.S. Mailing List and
Promotion" from which I infer that this expenditure, although
charged to revenue in the accounts, has not in fact been paid.
(x) As against that, £3,129
is shown as "Owing by associated companies in the United Kingdom",
but all of it is treated as a bad debt. £76,567 is shown as "Owing
by Overseas Scientology Organisations", and a provision for bad
debts is made against this in the sum of £37,269.
(xi) According to the
balance Sheets, the following amounts, with the following provisions
for bad debts, were "Owing by students" on the respective dates: -
5.4.66 5.4 67
5.4.68
Owing . . . . . . . . . . £48,780
£57,946 £64,285
Less provision . . . . . . £25,689 £47,543
£50,824
(xii) The 1968 Balance
Sheet also shows, for the first time, a single loan creditor at
£10,059.
80. So much for the main business,
owned during the period under review first by HASI and then by the
Church of Scientology of California, both being Arizona companies
registered here under Part X of the Companies Act as having a place of
business in the United Kingdom. Under the provisions of those Acts,
accounts should be filed annually relating to the whole of the company's
business and not only to that in the United Kingdom. In fact, no
accounts have yet been filed at all, and the drafts which were sent to
me relate only to the United Kingdom business.
8l. As for the financial
affairs of the other Scientology companies,
(i) No accounts have been
filed by H.A.S.I. (London) Limited, H.C.O. (WW) Limited, Scientology
Publications Limited, Scientology Library and Research Limited,
Dianetics Association Limited or Hubbard Explorational Company
Limited.
(ii) According to the latest
available directors' report of H.C.O. (St. Hill) Limited, that
company had on 5th May 1969 no fixed assets, and had lost £3,180 by
that date. Mr Hubbard owes it £1,045.
(iii) Scientology
Consultants to Industrial Efficiency Limited has filed up-to-date
accounts, showing accumulated losses of £655 down to 31st October
1969.
(iv) According to the last
set of accounts filed for Hubbard Communications Office Limited
(which run to 30th April 1966) that company seems to have been
conducting an unsuccessful garage business. The auditors'
certificate is heavily qualified: various documents could not be
traced, vehicles had vanished, "the sales figure in the trading
account cannot be regarded as anywhere near accurate", and there had
been litigation with a manager who went bankrupt. The company ended
up owing Mr. Hubbard £1,056, and his successor's report as Chairman,
dated May 1967, is worth quoting if only for its refreshing brevity:
-
" My illustrious
predecessor reported to you last year.
Unfortunately the
financial state of our company is not as we would have liked
it."
(v) From the accounts
which have been filed by HASI Limited, it seems that before about
1966 this was the parent company for the Scientology branches in
London, New Zealand and South Africa. However, since then. the
company seems to have been dormant, and on 5th April 1968 the New
Zealand branch of HASI of Arizona was shown as still owing it £747,
the South African branch £7,307, and the London branch £6,913.
Accumulated losses to that date are given as £11,928.
_______________
NOTES:
(40) Dianetics:
Evolution of a Science, p. 1.
(41) ibid.
(42) ibid.
(43) ibid.
(44) ibid.
(45) ibid, p. 5.
(46) Title of Mr. Hubbard's
best-sold book.
(47) Passim.
(48) Scientology:
8-8008, p. 7.
(49) Kangaroo Court,
p. 42.
(50) Dianetics: ES,
p. 6.
(51) Anderson Report, p.
48.
(52) Dianetics: MSMH
(1968), p. ix.
(53) Dust Jacket of
Dianetics: MSMH (1956).
(54) Scientology handbill,
undated but copyright claimed by
Mr. Hubbard for 1969.
(55) Character of
Scientology, p. 5.
(56) Mr. Richard Crossman,
answering a supplementary question in the
House of Commons, Hansard, Vol. 772 col. 474-75.
(57) Cover of Dianetics:
MSMH (1956).
(58) Science of Survival,
p. vii.
(59) Character of
Scientology, p12.
(60) ibid, p. 33
(61) Dianetics: ES,
p.6.
(62) ibid, p. III.
(63) Anderson Report, p.
40.
(64) Anderson Report, p.
41.
(65) The Anderson Board so
found, and there is no subsequent denial
on record from the Scientology leadership.
(66)These words appear
sometimes but not always.
(67) The role and
procedures of Scientology Ethics are described more
fully in Chapter 7 of this Report.
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